Oregon Trail Time Trial

Place: La Grande, Oregon
Length: 11 miles
Map : : Results
A very brutal 11 mile effort that is offset by natural beauty. Foothill road follows the Oregon Trail south of La Grande between the mountains and Ladd Marsh. The brutality comes from the merciless winds that slow down the rider going out (south wind) or coming back (north wind). The slight undulations of the road cause undue pain. This venue is the traditional time trial of La Grande.

Echo 10 Time Trial

Place: Echo, Oregon
Length: 10.0 miles (16.1 km)
Start Timer: "Umatilla River" sign on west side of bridge.
Stop: Same as start.
Map : : Results
Description: A challenging out and back course that begins with a subtle, abusive hill. The course starts and finishes on the west end of the bridge over the Umatilla River, just outside the town of Echo. The road is wide open and the pavement is fast on the Oregon Trail Highway. If the prevailing southwest winds are blowing, expect a headwind out and a very fast return.  A key feature is the proximity of the start/finish to The Red Express cafe, a convenient place for post ride recovery drinks and reflections.
Directions:  Take I-84 to Exit 188 and go south to the town of Echo. Take a right onto Dupont St., over railroad tracks. Take a right at Main St. (Main St is also HW 320...the intersections signs read "Main St/HW 320"). Take Main St/HW 320 across Umatilla River and find a parking area to the left.

Grande Ronde 10 Time Trial

Place: Alicel, Oregon
Length: 10.0 miles (16.1 km)
Start Timer: Grey painted marks on road (on Market Lane about 0.4 mi east of Highway 82).
Turn Around: Two "curve in road" caution signs that flank the road after the second bridge (see map for pictures). These are just before the road begins to climb.
Stop Timer: Same as start.
Map : : Results
Description: Very fast, very straight. This course is sure to accommodate a top speed performance. The timer starts on the west end of Market Lane and travels about 4 miles to a bend in the road that takes riders past the historic Lower Cove School location and then across a bridge over the Grande Ronde River. The turnaround is at caution signs that flank the road. The east/west nature of the road helps negate the effects of the notorious south and north winds of the Grande Ronde Valley.
Directions: From La Grande at I-84 Exit 261, travel east on Highway 82-Elgin (Island Avenue). In Island City turn left staying on Wallowa Lake Highway 82 toward Elgin. Travel 4.5 miles and look for the turnout for Market Lane on the right. Travel 0.4 miles east on Highway 82 to start marks on the road.

Morgan Lake Hillclimb

Place: La Grande, Oregon
Length: 2 miles
Map : : Results
The longest 2 miles spent on a bike.  This dirt road turns straight up to the sky immediately at the end of the pavement. Use a mountain bike or a specially geared cyclocross bike. Gradients will reach above 25 percent in places. 
 

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updated March, 2008 07:07:20 PM -0700